Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

A home sleep study, or an HST, may be in order if you or your partner has trouble getting a good night’s sleep. Schedule an appointment with your doctor who can determine if you or someone you know wakes up abruptly during the night snores or has trouble staying awake during the day.

According to Dr. Jack Ringer, an Orange County dentist who has been fully trained to provide sleep apnea patients with oral appliance therapy, there are some signs to look for if you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Signs

• Snoring
• Frequent breaks and pauses in sleep
• Being tired all the time
• High blood pressure
• Being obese or overweight
• Depression
• Mood swings
• A large neck

If you or someone you know is experiencing fragmented sleep, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with your doctor for a home sleep study. These days you can bring the HST equipment home and take the tests in the privacy of your own home. Most of the HST devices are very portable and about the size of your Smartphone.

When you see your doctor, he may refer you to a board certified sleep medicine doctor who can issue your home sleep study equipment that will collect much needed information about your sleeping patterns and how you actually breathe when you are asleep.

Quite a few different sleep apnea HST devices can be used to measure your blood oxygen levels and your breathing. Some home sleep study testing devices can also give the doctors additional information about your body including your heart rate.

If you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with your doctor who can determine if you are in need of a home sleep study. If you follow Dr. Ringer’s blog, you will know that sleep apnea can cause other health problems, and in some rare cases, even death.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, call or click and schedule an appointment with Dr. Jack Ringer who can determine what type of oral appliance therapy would be best for your particular needs. Call or click today.